Top for vehicles and the like



Aug. 18, 1925. 1,550,175

F. K. LEWIS TOP FOR VEHICLES AND THE LIKE Filed July 31. 1919 I l I Patented Aug. 18, 1925.

UNITED STATES FRED K. LEWIS, OF ASHTABULA, OHIO.

T01? FOR VEHICLES AND THE LIKE.

Application filed. July 31,

To all whom it may concern:

. Be it known that I, Finn) K. LEWIS, a citizen'of the United States, and a resident of Ashtabula, county of Ashtabula, and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Tops for Vehicles and the like, of which the following is a specification, the principle of the invention being herein explained and the best mode in which Ihave contemplated applying the principle, so as to distinguish it from other inventions.

The present improved top belongs to the class of so-called one man tops in which the top structure is supported wholly from a single main bow or standard. The object of the present invention is to provide a structure ofv this type which may be supported from a single rearwardly inclining main bow, so that when the top is extended, the entire tonneau space forwardly of such main bow will be clear of any obstruction, even where such tonneau is a two-seated one. A further object is to provide a structure that may be readily manipulated either to fold or unfold the top as desired, without the operator having to leave the tonneau.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention, then, consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claim, the annexed drawing and the following description setting forth in detail certain mechanism embodying the invention, such dis closed means constituting, however, but one of the various mechanical forms in which the principle of the invention may be used.

In said annexed drawing Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a top supporting structure embodying my present improvements, such top being shown as mounted on an automobile body or tonneau of conventional form; and Fig. 2 is a similar side elevation showing the top and such supporting structure in partially collapsed or folded condition.

It is of course a matter of indifference whether the top is used on automobile, motor-boat or otherwise, and, depending upon its longitudinal extent, a smaller or larger number of bows, in addition to the outrigger structure of present interest, may be utilized. It will also be understood that the term bow is used herein inclusively to designate not merely the wooden bow proper, but also the metallic sockets carrying the same, these parts when regarded in 1919. Serial No. 314,514.

side elevation constituting the equivalent of the so-called sticks, as they are called in the old wood structure. It is accordingly a matter of convenience to refer to the parts 111 the singular, as though the structure lay all in a single vertical plane, since the parts .1

- from a single main bow 2. The latter, which is of substantial construction in view of the weight it is thus designed to carry, is pivotally supported upon or attached to the body at the point 3 in the usual manner, so

that it may be laid down and supported in J a substantially horizontal plane when the top is not in use. Normally, in the extended or open condition of the top, said main bow 2 inclines rearwardly at an angle of approximately forty-five degrees to the horizontal, being held from rising higher by the top covering, or rather by special straps (not shown) or extensions of the longitudinal strainers which, as is well known, are used to connect the bows together and provide supporting means for the top covering intermediately between said bows. For the purpose in hand such straps or strainers may be regarded as a part of the covering material.

The outrigger structure comprises a main articulated auxiliary bow, or, as it is sometimes called, outrigger bow 6, the latter term referring more particularly tothe outer portion or bow 7 proper, which is secured to the main how 2 by'means of an arm 8 (one on each side of course) pivotally attached to said main bow and to the rear end of such outrigger bow, and so constituting the inner portion of said articulated auxiliary bow 6. The point of attachment of this arm to the main bow is preferably in line with, or just above, the side edge of the cover, so as to be hidden by the latter, and the joint 9 between said arm and the outrigger bow is a rule joint disposed so as to prevent further bending of the arm in question, when extended in horizontal fashion, as in the open condition of the top illustrated in Fig. 1.

Pivotally attached to the arm 8 plemental bow 10 that in such open condition of the top is designed to extend forwardly at an angle with respect to saidarm so as to support the cover 1 at, -a-point approximately midway betweenthe main bow 2 and is a sup- 4 the outrigger bow 7. The lower end 10 of this supplemental bow is extended past the point of pivotal attachment of the latter to arm 8, and such extension is in turn connected by a link 10 with the main bow 2 below the point of attachment of said arm 8 to said main bow. The effect of this link is to sustain the outrigger bow, supplemental bow and other parts carried thereby, in fixed angular relation to the main bow when the top structure isv extended. At the same time said link 10 will fold up alongside the main bow when the top is collapsed, such IlEOlCl', ing being correlated with the folding of the other component parts. lVhile the joint between extension 1O and link 10 is shown as a plain pivotal connection, a rule joint may be found desirable in order to limit upward bending beyond position of Fig. 1.

A second two-part articulated outrigger or auxiliary bow is also provided, this bow having its rear portion 11 pivotally attached at spaced points 12 and 13 to the forward portion 7' of such first outrigger bow and to said supplemental bow, respectively, such rear portion 11 being preferably reinforced at point 12. The outer portion 17 of this second outrigger bow is designed to lie in a substantially horizontal plane when the top is open, and supports the extreme forward portion of the top cover in such position, such bow being suitably attached to the front part of the body through the wind shield frame 18 or other means, as found most convenient. While the joint 19 between the rear portion 11 and the forward portion 17 of such second auxiliary or outrigger bow is preferably a rule joint as shown, a link 20- is desirably utilized to connect the forward portions of the two outrigger bows to relieve this joint of some of the strain imposed thereon, and more particularly to assist in folding the parts when the top. is being collapsed.

This action of link 20- will be evident from an inspection of Fig. 2, which clearly illustrates the manner in which the other component parts of the top structure fold up. Thus it will be seen that the link 20 and the rear portion 11 of the second or forward outrigger bow have a parallel movement and fold up alongside of each other, at the same time bringing the bows into a close compact stack. Nevertheless, when extended, an adequate support for a top of considerable longitudinal extent is provided without any obstruction in the way of a forwardly inclining main bow, or braces or links that lie below the side line of the top, covering. Furthermore, the various component bows are oined together by the employment, of a minimum number of connecting parts, which need not be of specially heavy construction, in order to afford; a rigid and entirely sa tisfactory' support. While the extreme forward outrigger bow is designed to be attached or tied down to the wind shield, as previously explained, the top is self-supporting, save as jars or the wind might tend to tilt it bodily about the single pivotal axis 3 upon which the structure is sustained.

The top folds or collapses, in effect autei'natically, upon breaking the joint 19 in the second outrigger or auxiliary bow, the forward portion of the latter being, of course,

preliminarily disconnected from the windshield 18. It will be noted that the tube or socket of the main bow 2 does not extend above the point of attachment of the arm 8 thereto, and that, link 1O being attached to said bow below the point in ques tion, there is no need of any bracket or clamp projecting above such point, or, in other words, beyond the end of such tube. Ample room is thus left for the top material to fall in proper folds without any obstacle being interposed.

It will be further noted that, in the open position of the top (Fig. 1), the joint between link lt)" and the extension 10 of supplemental bow 10 lies above swing arm 8, so that the link is under compression, and, said supplemental bow being held in fixed relation to the swing arm by the rear portion 11 of the second outrigger bow acting as a brace, no rule joint is required between said link 10 and extension 10 in order to sustain the top. Such rear portion 11 of the second outrigger bow may be regarded as a link connecting the supplemental bow 10 with the outer portion of the first outrigger bow, and by reason of the lock joint 9 in the latter, when the top is extended, said link with said supplemental bow and said first outrigger bow forms a rigid frame that normally tends to swing downwardly about the pivotal con nection of arm 8 with the main bow, but is prevented from so doing by link 10" serving as a strut.

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employed instead of the one explained, change being made as regards the mechanism herein disclosed, provided the means stated by the following claim or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

1 therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention In a top for vehicles and the like, the combination of a rearwardly inclining main support; an articulated outrigger boii pivotally attached to said support, said how being designed to project forwardly from said support in the extended position of the top and the joint in said bow locking in such position; a supplemental bow pivotally attached to the rear portion of said outrigger bow and having an extension below such point of attachment; a link connecting said supplemental bow with the outer portion of said outrigger bow; and a second link connecting the extension on said supplemental bow with said support below the point of attachment of said outrigger bow thereto said first link with said supplemental and outrigger bows forming, when the top is extended, a rigid frame that normally tends to swing downwardly about the point of pivotal attachment of 10 said outrigger bow to said main support and said second link being disposed so as to sustain such frame under compression.

Signed by me, this 28th day of July,

FRED K. LEWIS. 

